Community Research and Engagement Manager

Foundation For The Carolinas is proud to announce an exciting opportunity within our dedicated team supporting Leading On Opportunity, an initiative aimed at advancing economic mobility and equity in our community. We seek passionate and skilled individuals committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families across the Carolinas. Join us in our mission to foster opportunity, strengthen local partnerships, and create lasting change. If you are driven by purpose and eager to be part of transformative work, we encourage you to explore this opportunity with us. Together, we can lead the charge toward a more equitable future.

The  Community Research and Engagement Manager is a pivotal role designed for an innovative and experienced professional committed to advancing economic mobility initiatives across Mecklenburg County and beyond. This position will spearhead the design, management, and delivery of insightful, data-driven research that informs and shapes policies and programs. As a champion of the Opportunity Compass and its related projects, you will play a critical role in data stewardship, fostering community engagement, and building strategic partnerships to drive impactful change.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Data Management & Support (50%)

• Oversee Partnerships and Service Delivery: Lead the daily operations and relationship management for the Opportunity Compass and community-centric projects. Ensure top-notch reporting for funders and nonprofit organizations while nurturing partnerships with data providers.
• Facilitate Community Workshops: Plan and conduct interactive workshops and community sessions to gather qualitative data, continuously enhancing our materials and tools for effective data collection and integration with the Compass.
• Engagement and Value Creation: Foster strong relationships with nonprofit organizations and funders to maximize the impact of our data tools, ensuring that they deliver valuable insights to all stakeholders.
• Community Advocacy and Support: Act as the primary point of contact for economic mobility insights, providing project support and representing LOO in local committees, task forces, and community events.

Advocacy & Thought Leadership (25%)

• Policy Analysis and Insights: Collaborate with the Director of Civic Advancement to monitor and analyze local, state, and national policies impacting economic mobility. Transform research findings into actionable insights that inform advocacy strategies.
• Strategic Communication and Storytelling: Stay abreast of key literature and findings on economic mobility, communicating insights through comprehensive reports, presentations, and other channels to engage and inform the community and stakeholders.

Coalition Data Support (20%)

• Support for Coalition Data Needs: Work closely with the Deputy Director of Strategy and Operations to address data requirements within LOO’s coalitions, ensuring that coalition goals are aligned with insights from the Compass and offering guidance on data interpretation and strategy development.

Internal Reporting & Evaluation (5%)

• KPI Development and Monitoring: Collaborate with the Senior Coordinator of Strategy and Operations to establish internal key performance indicators (KPIs) that track LOO’s partnerships and initiatives, creating a systematic reporting framework for the organization.
• Impact Reporting and Grants Support: Generate comprehensive reports and impact statements to effectively communicate progress to funders and stakeholders, contributing valuable data insights to grant proposals and strategic documents.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in public policy, data science, sociology, community psychology, or a related field preferred.
•  A minimum of 2 years of experience in community-engaged research, data management, or evaluation within a nonprofit, government, or research context.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Excel, Tableau, R, or Python) and familiarity with CRM platforms or data integration tools.
• Exceptional relationship-building abilities, particularly in multi-stakeholder environments; adept at facilitating workshops and leading community engagement events.
• Strong capacity to synthesize complex data into actionable insights and compelling narratives focused on community impact.
•  A genuine passion for economic mobility, social equity, and community-centered research, with a dedication to fostering data-informed decision-making for positive outcomes.

This position requires a hybrid work arrangement involving both in-person and remote work, as well as independent travel by car within the region.

Salary Description:

$75,000+/year depending on experience

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